When we heard from Heliotrope owner Jonathan Plotzker that the Noe Valley shop’s Frankincense & Rose Geranium Oil Serum was its top seller last month, we were understandably intrigued. After all, it’s technically winter, and even though we may not be braving intense wind chills, it’s still a time of year when many a face could use an added dose of moisture.

If a rich, long-lasting moisturizer made by with essential oils and botanical extracts by a local company sounds appealing, this may be the winter skin rescue you’ve been looking for. Rich in antioxidants, the non-comedogenic serum is designed to be suitable for everyday use by all skin types. Worried about slathering an oil-based product on your face? Don’t, says Plotzker.

“Although some people are afraid of oils, all a regular moisturizer is is oil that’s an emulsion and water. So what this does is it skips all those emulsifiers. So when people are afraid of oil, I tell them they’re already using oil…as long as it’s natural and vegetable-based, it won’t clog your pores,” he explains.

We tested it out over the course of a week and with each application were drawn in by its appealing day-at-the-spa scent, one we found to be intensely herbal in a pleasant way and appropriate for both men and women (not the easiest thing to pull off). It successfully kept our skin moisturized for hours after it was applied.

While the serum is recommended even for everyday use, we think its richness makes it an especially worthy counterpart to a lightweight daily face lotion with sunscreen when extra hydration is needed. For example, we’d imagine craving this stuff after a day on the hill in Tahoe, after a long flight or post-shaving (for the boys reading this).

Full disclosure (because we luv you, FCC and also like being honest): a product sample was provided for use in this post. Tried & True is part of a regular series on SF Indie Fashion. Know a great, locally-made product you’d like suggest? Be in touch.

You can still get your craft on in time for Christmas at Workshop this week.

With less than a week until the fat man shimmies down your chimney, the SF Indie Fashion Calendar is quieting down as local designers, retailers and fashion fans complete their gift-buying frenzies and head out of town. That said, there are still a few choice opportunities to indulge in independent fashion and beauty this week. Here are our picks:

If you want to get your craft on before the end of the year, there’s still time, thanks to the classes taking place at Workshop this week. Peep the calendar, and you’ll see such D.I.Y. diversions taking place this week as Sewing Machine 101, Rock ‘N Roll Sewing and Glass Jar Terrariums.

In need of last minute gifts? The Mission Statement is offering a different deal each day of the week via its cute, indie-minded advent calendar. Head over for discounts on mineral makeup, men’s jackets, tees and jewelry.

On Thursday, you can scoop up locally-made face and body care products for men and women with customizable scents during Heliotrope’s The Last Second-to-Last Thursday Party of the Year. The Noe shop will be offering snacks, Champagne and special discounts while showcasing new products and travel-sized items (also great as stocking stuffers).

Once Friday rolls around, we hear the fine folks at Secession Art + Design will be helping last-minute shoppers and having a good time while they’re doing it by breaking out the whiskey, wine and chocolate for shoppers that come through the Bernal Flats’ gallery-boutique’s doors, open ’til 7 p.m. on Christmas Eve.